COVID Second Surge. Prevent thousands from dying every day.

Thousands are dying now and in the next few weeks we will see more of our loved ones go, but the urgency is to keep the young and old healthy. The pandemic spreads as many of us are not observing COVID protocols such as wearing mask, observe social distancing and sanitize or wash our hands frequently.

People are scared as they lose near and dear ones, misinformation is reaching them from neighbors and through social media. Due to fear of social boycott and stigma they don't self-declare if they had been in contact with symptomatic or positive cases.

Although state government advisories exist on all aspects of COVID protective behavior and steps to be followed, the available services are not accessible easily or “user friendly” when there are symptomatic cases, or with those with history of contact with positive cases.

COVID Sahayata Kendra (CSK):

As a primary response to the second wave, Child in Need Institute (CINI) has started COVID Sahayata Kendras (CSK) or COVID Facilitation Centres. Eleven such CSKs have already started functioning in the rural and urban centres of West Bengal Jharkhand being located very strategically inside the Block Hospital or the BDO office, Urban PHCs, tea-gardens and also within some designated COVID hospitals.

A model of COVID Sahayata Kendra (CSK)

At each centre trained volunteers are providing counselling to remove fear and anxiety, educating people to wear the mask, wash handsfrequently and observe physical distancing.Home isolation related queries, whereabouts of testing labs, vaccine centres and even hospital, oxygen and medicine related queries are also being dealt with in these CSKs.

Our volunteers guides those who have symptoms of COVID or have history of contact to isolate at home, or those who don't have enough room to get admitted to Safe Homes. We will help with transport to reach centres for COVID testing and vaccination. Medical equipment such as oxygen concentrators, cylinders, oximeters and thermal guns will be available at each centre for those with mild symptoms.A mobile campaign through tuk-tuk is being carried out in the catchment areas of each CSK focusing on the high risk zones (markets, bus-stops, slums and congested lanes).

Running Mobile Awareness

Impact:

• COVID Sahayata Kendra (CSK) will complement government efforts to provide all COVID related information. This will ensure timely access and utilization of services, reduce pressure on an already overburdened and understaffed health care system and prevent deaths.
• CSK will reduce misconceptions, stigma and fear in the community, motivate self- declaration among those with history of contact with symptomatic / positive cases. Motivate those who have not yet been vaccinated and thus reduce transmission and further spread.
• Free distribution of Wellness kits and its use will further reduce transmission of the virus in the home and when outside. Nutrimix supplement will boost immunity in children, expectant and lactating mothers.
• Targeting markets, bus, auto rickshaw and rickshaw stands by the mobile awareness team, will promote the use of mask and social distancing to break transmission and reduce the spread of the pandemic.

Safe Home:

CINI has set-up and have started running four Safe Homes in Matigara Block, Siliguri (30-bedded), Alipurduar-II Block, Alipurduar (50-bedded), Mathurapur-I Block, DH Health District, South 24 Parganas (50-bedded) and Berhampore College, Gora Bazar, Baharampore, Murshidabad (50-bedded)

But with the recent threat of the virus spreading through rural and small-town India (where the infrastructure to prevent, is far less than adequate), CINI has also undertaken establishment of small isolation centres or safe homes in the rural/peri-urban settings that would be equipped to handle mildly symptomatic and asymptomatic cases, isolating them from the rest of the population.

We are planning to have such small 10-bedded safe homes attached with Block Primary Health Centres in remote areas, equipped with 1 8/10 LPM Oxygen Concentrator, 1/2 Oxygen Cylinders, Nebulizers, Pulse Oximeters, Thermal Guns, masks and sanitizers, enough to support lives till tertiary medical care (hospitals) step in to take over the severe cases. These safe homes will not only save a few more lives but also minimize the pressure on an already overwhelmed health system.

Donation Option:

A. COVID Sahayata Kendra (CSK): Rs. 5000 will help us to run CSK per day. 

B. Wellness Kit : Rs. 500 will support a needy family for two weeks.

C. Food Basket and hygiene kit: Rs. 2000 will provide 240 nutritious meals to a family of 4 for a full month, along with hygiene and sanitation essentials.

D. Safe Home : Rs. 15,000 will help to run one Rural Safe Home for one day.

All donation to CINI are eligible for Tax Exemption under 80G

Click here to know why should you donate to CINI

Note:

• You can visit us at www.cini-india.org or write to us at kakolidey@cinindia.org for further information.

Safe Home in a Rural area

Here's a quick update